Think Before You Click

Phishing or social engineering attacks are increasingly being used by cyber criminals to trick internet users into revealing sensitive information – website login details, bank account or credit card details or personal data that forms part of your identity.

Phishing emails are designed to look official and may use an ‘urgent security alert’ or other reason for you to immediately visit a website to confirm your personal details.

Misspelt website addresses or URLs can be bought and set up to look similar to your bank website with copied logos and login forms.

A friend’s hacked email address can be used to send fake appeals for emergency help. Even social networks have been affected by spam or malware links added via rogue apps or compromised accounts.

Be careful when you receive emails requesting urgent account verification, when you’re sent unexpected attachments or see curious video or photo links posted on your newsfeed.

Don’t respond, download files or click on links to websites you’re suspicious of and investigate any offers carefully that appear to be too good to be true.

Use Strong Passwords

Even though it’s a lot, aim for 15 characters in your passwords and use a mix of upper and lower case letters, numbers and symbols. An example would be: Th1sI5a5tr0ngP@ssw0rd!

Don’t use obvious words like your nickname, the name of a family pet or a number sequence like 12345.

Keep your passwords secret, change them regularly and try to use a different password for every computer and website you access.

If you have a different password for online banking, your social networking profile, internet auction account and email service, should one site get hacked your other accounts won’t be so easily compromised.